Dresden’s Old Town is compact, but many of the city’s best sights are spread along the Elbe for kilometres to the east, and that is where the hop-on hop-off bus earns its keep. Run by Stadtrundfahrt Dresden, the route starts at the Postplatz by the Zwinger’s Crown Gate and loops through the Old Town past the Frauenkirche, the Albertinum and the Theaterplatz, crosses to the Neustadt and the Yenidze, the former tobacco factory built to look like a mosque, and heads out along the river to the Elbe castles, the Weisser Hirsch villa quarter, the Loschwitz funiculars and the Blue Wonder bridge. Some loops continue to Pillnitz Palace, which is otherwise a long tram and bus ride away. A full circuit takes about two hours, and you can get on and off as often as you like during the day. The ticket also includes three short guided walking tours in the Old Town and an evening tour, all in German, and headphones with commentary in nineteen languages. This page links to the Tiqets one-day ticket.
How to visit: the ticket is valid for one day from activation, with an option to add an extra day at checkout. Exchange your phone voucher for a paper ticket on the bus. In winter the first bus leaves at 10:00 and buses run every thirty to sixty minutes, with the last departure at 16:00; in summer they run more often until 17:00. There is no boarding or alighting after the last tour. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before. The buses take one wheelchair or buggy at a time.
What to expect: the commentary is recorded, with live guides in several languages on some departures. The included walking tours, around the Zwinger, the Fürstenzug and the Frauenkirche, last about thirty minutes and are in German. Venue admission is not included.
Making the most of it: use the bus for the outlying sights rather than the Old Town, which is easier on foot. Hop off at Loschwitz to ride the funicular up to the villas and the views over the Blue Wonder, and in winter time your day carefully around the less frequent buses.
What to expect
The experience
A one-day hop-on hop-off bus ticket with recorded commentary, plus short German-language guided walks and an evening tour.
Best time
Start at 10:00 from the Postplatz, and in winter plan around buses every thirty to sixty minutes.
How long
About two hours for a full loop without stops, or a whole day with stops.
Tips
Use the bus for the Blue Wonder, Loschwitz and Pillnitz, and walk the Old Town; the last winter bus leaves at 16:00.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Getting an overview of the whole city and reaching the Elbe villa districts without working out trams.
- Families
- Children enjoy the open views and the funicular stop at Loschwitz, and buggies can travel on board.
- Couples
- Hop off at the Blue Wonder for coffee by the river and a ride up the funicular.
- Pair with
- Pillnitz Palace and Park at the eastern end of the route, or an Elbe paddle steamer trip.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day.
Good questions
How long is the Dresden hop-on hop-off ticket valid?+
The standard ticket is valid for one day from activation. An extra day can be added at checkout.
Where does the Dresden hop-on hop-off bus start?+
The main starting point is the Postplatz by the Zwinger’s Crown Gate. You can join at any stop along the route.
Does the bus go to Pillnitz Palace and the Blue Wonder?+
Yes, the route includes stops for the Blue Wonder bridge, Loschwitz and Pillnitz Palace. Check which loops serve Pillnitz on your day.
How often do the buses run in winter?+
In winter the first bus leaves at 10:00 and buses run every thirty to sixty minutes until the last departure at 16:00. In summer they run more often until 17:00.
Are the walking tours in English?+
The included short walking tours and the evening tour are in German. The bus commentary is available in English and many other languages.
